Dunwich cliff footpath closes as edge may fall 'very easily' after rain

A section of the footpath has been closed by the trust that manages the area after significant downpours

A section of a coastal clifftop footpath has been closed after heavy rainfall.

Fears over the stability of the cliff at Dunwich, Suffolk, which has a viewpoint, prompted the decision.

Geoff Abell, chairman of Dunwich Greyfriars Trust, which manages the land, said the cliff edge had "moved maybe 6ft".

"It's just too dangerous to let the public go there until we decide what we are going to do about it," he added.

Mr Abell said the recent erosion was due to rain percolating through the upper sandy layers and loosening them

Mr Abell explained that heavy rain over the past few weeks had "weakened the structure at the top of the cliff and allowed it to slump".

He added: "It is now virtually vertical for about 10ft from the cliff edge downwards and in its present weak state because it's waterlogged - we just don't want to let people stand anywhere near that cliff edge because it could go very easily.''

Mr Abell said most of the erosion events in Dunwich normally occurred due to the sea hitting the cliff.

But after shingle was washed on to the beach and raised it, "big winter storms no longer touch the bottom of the cliff".

"So we haven't got erosion from the seaside, but we are now, particularly after this winter with heavy rains, getting erosion at the top as rain percolates through the upper sandy layers and loosens them," he added.

There are sea views from the cordoned-off path

Mr Abell said members of trust would meet to discuss how to safely reopen the section to the public again.

"We'd like to have a viewpoint open because it's part of the pleasure of walking along the cliff top," he said.

"If we can restore it in some way to make it safe, then we'll try and do so."

In the meantime, walkers can use a parallel track further inland.

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